Strange growth on chest- Pictures

[StephJuno]

Hi all- this is not an emergency, since otherwise the chicken is in good health, but I'd really like to know what this growth is and if I need to do something about.

The hen is a barred rock, 4 years old. Aside from this growth, she seems perfectly healthy- lots of energy, eating and drinking well, her feathers are very soft, she's a good weight and her comb is in good condition. The growth (as seen in the photos) is between a marble and a golf ball in size and attached to her lower chest area by a webbing of skin. The skin on the growth itself is soft, but the growth is firm. She has very thick feathers on her chest and I couldn't get a picture of how the growth is attached, but the skin all around looked and felt healthy.

I tried to do research online, but couldn't find anything. I was thinking possibly a feather cyst or a tumor? It doesn't seem to be bothering her in any way, but I'd really like to know if anyone has seen this before and what should be done (if anything) about it. Thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

That does look like a tumor, especially if it is hard. Has it grown quickly? Feather cysts and breast blisters which abscess can occur in this area, but those would contain a possible ingrown feather and hardened pus if your lanced them. Have you had any cases of lymphoid leukosis virus or Mareks disease in your flock before? There are other types of tumors and cysts as well in chickens. If a vet is possible, they might be able to remove it without anesthesia (which can be dangerous in chickens.)

 

[StephJuno]

That does look like a tumor, especially if it is hard. Has it grown quickly? Feather cysts and breast blisters which abscess can occur in this area, but those would contain a possible ingrown feather and hardened pus if your lanced them. Have you had any cases of lymphoid leukosis virus or Mareks disease in your flock before? There are other types of tumors and cysts as well in chickens. If a vet is possible, they might be able to remove it without anesthesia (which can be dangerous in chickens.)

No cases of either in my flock. I don't have a vet around here that treats chickens, but we do a lot of our own chicken care. I'm going to look at it more closely when my husband comes home and he can hold her, to see if there's a possible ingrown feather and what it looks like at the base. As long as her overall health stays good, as well as her current quality of life, I wouldn't want to do anything drastic. I really appreciate you taking a look, though! Thank you!